Nona threatens Bicol, Samar

MANILA, Philippines - The state weather bureau placed several areas in the country under storm warning signals yesterday afternoon as Typhoon Nona (international name Melor) moved closer to the Samar-Bicol area.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, public storm warning signal No. 2 was raised over Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Ticao Island, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Samar.

Classes in all levels in Albay and Camarines Sur are also suspended.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Southern Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate including Burias Island, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu including Camotes Island, Dinagat province and Siargao Island.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) was expected to raise signal No. 1 over the rest of Southern Luzon, Aklan, Capiz and Metro Manila last night.

Nona gathered more strength yesterday as it continued to approach Samar and Bicol.

It is forecast to make landfall between Sorsogon and Northern Samar this afternoon or evening if it maintains its present direction and speed.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of Nona was located at 440 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar with maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph. It is forecast to move west at a speed of 19 kph.

Areas within the storm’s 300-km diameter will experience moderate to heavy rains, according to PAGASA.

Nona is expected to pass through Northern Samar, Bicol and Southern Luzon before exiting landmass through the Mindoro area Wednesday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) operations center has been placed on blue alert to monitor the situation in areas located along the expected typhoon path.

The Office of Civil Defense directed regional disaster risk reduction and management councils to initiate preemptive evacuation of families in mountainous and low-lying areas if necessary.

Seniang-like rain

The NDRRMC likened Nona’s expected rainfall to that of Tropical Storm Seniang, which dumped 15 millimeters of rain per hour over Visayas and Mindanao in December last year, leaving 66 people dead. – With Alexis Romero